STORY OF FLIGHT

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 80, 1 October 1931, Page 13

STORY OF FLIGHT

MAGNIFICENT, FEAT

MAN AND MACHINE

(British Official Wireless.) (Received Ist October, 11 a.m.) ■■RUGBY, 30th September. The amazing speed of over 415 miles an hour was reached by Flight-Lieu-. tenant Stainforth whea■-, establishing yesterday evening a new woria air speed record in a seaplane -with a specially tuned-, Bolls-Eoyce engine. ' The average speed . worked out at 408.8 miles an hour. This is an increase of no less than 51 miles'an hour on-the existing world speed record of 357.7 miles an hour established two years ago by SquadronLeader Orlebar, for although Stamforth on 13th September last, reached an average speed of 379.05 miles an hour, this did not satisfy the authorities, and was ,not officially put forward as a record. Their action was fully, justified by yesterday's magnificent, performance, and it is confidently believed that tho new record will stand to the credit of Britain for a considerable time to come.. ,■■■■> TIMED BY CAMERA-GUN. Jstainforth's new, average speed is equivalents .657.76 kilometres an hour. The film from the camera-gun timing apparatus on which the flight was recorded was developed early this morning, and, after the. speeds had been worked out and checked,^ they were communicated to Stainforth, who at 4 a.m. was awaiting the!-result- in the officers' mess at Calshot. When the figures 'were, announced, Stainforth showed no signs of elation, but casually continued the game I*3 was playing. CLOUD LIKES TOR MARKS. Stainforth's?flight had been a magnificent performance. Tho conditions were only fairljr favourable when yesterday evening' he' climbed into the cockpit'of the remarkable • little supermarine craft. Visibility was only three miles, and he needed twice that distance to see his marks and be sure of his line on : every run up to the course. Consequently, instead of landmarks, he had to use cloud lines to fi* his position and direction. . Having started his engine—^the most powerful, aero engine ever constructed, giving '2560 horse power—Stainforth was off tho water and in the air in 43 seconds. The engine had never previously been flown, and no engine had ever used the special fuel mixture which had been designed for it. Stainforth thus had first to try-out hia craft. SUPERB JUDGMENT. Satisfied with the- test he climbed to the permitted 1300 feet, took a true line, and, swooped t.teeply down to 15 metres height, flattening out, with full throttle roaring, to race along the course: Five times Stainforth, displaying superb {judgment in his dives and direction and-complete'confidence in his machine, repeated, this performance, and then, sweeping. widely" over Spitnead and the Solcut, as though'to\ make"the most of what may be his last, flight at such speeds, alighted easily and gracefully. '.. ' \\ '" / He was bro.ught: ashore, smiling and content,- Ma face covered' Avitti. oil and I sptay, ; and "was greeted Toy' \\\B -wiie and brother officers and technicians who had ;been .thrilled by the spectacular achievement. ' BRILLIANT DESIGNER. The speeds achieved have naturally given special satisfaction to the engineers and designers of ' the Bolls Boyco and Supermarine Companies, who contributed considerably to the triumph. . One man who 'shared the congratulations showed on Lieutenant Stainforth. was, Mr. A. J. Mitchell, the young, and brilliant designer) mainly responsible for the engine which1 has given such a wonderful result! The chief reasons for the improvement on Stainforth's previous attempt earlier in the month were that the engine haji been tuned up ftom 2300 to 2560 horse power, that a slight alteration in wing design had been made, and that Stainforth 's experience in diving before entering the level course had been effectively applied. Although the- new record is likely to stand for some time British high specd1 research will continue. Stainforth at his own request is to become test pilot at the Eoyal Air JTorce establishment at Farnborough. ; CONGRATULATIONS. ! In a telegram to' '■SquadronflJeader Orlebar, captain of the Schneider team, Lord Amulree, Secretary for Air, said: .''Please convey to Lieutenant Stainforth my warmest persona! congratulations and those of the Air Council on his magnificent performance yesterday. It is a fitting culmination to splendid toam work carried out under your command by all members of the high speed flight." ■: